Clinical Surveillance vs. Anticoagulation for Low-risk Patients With Isolated Subsegmental Pulmonary Embolism

Summary

The clinical significance of pulmonary embolism (PE) limited to the subsegmental pulmonary arteries, so called isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism (SSPE), remains controversial. Whether isolated SSPE represents "true" PE, a clinically more benign form of PE, a physiologic lung clearing process, or a false positive result (artifact) is currently unclear and hence, whether patients with isolated SSPE benefit from anticoagulant treatment is uncertain. Despite growing evidence from observational studies that withholding anticoagulation may be a safe option in selected patients with isolated SSPE (i.e., those without concomitant deep vein thrombosis, cancer, etc.), most patients with isolated SSPE receive anticoagulant treatment, which is associated with an increased risk of bleeding. The overall objective of the randomized controlled SAFE-SSPE trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of clinical surveillance without anticoagulation compared to anticoagulation treatment in low-risk patients with isolated SSPE.

Timeline

Start

2020-05-15

Primary completion

2028-05

Completion

2028-05

Publications

• Baumgartner C, Klok FA, Carrier M, Limacher A, Moor J, Righini M, Beer JH, Peluso M, Rakovic D, Huisman MV, Aujesky D. Clinical Surveillance vs. Anticoagulation For low-risk patiEnts with isolated SubSegmental Pulmonary Embolism: protocol for a multicentre randomised placebo-controlled non-inferiority trial (SAFE-SSPE). BMJ Open. 2020 Nov 19;10(11):e040151. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040151.

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Indications